Normally when we say something is “fizzling out,” we mean it’s losing its brilliance (like a sparkler) or is coming to an end (like a party). But yesterday it turned out to mean something completely different.
Heading for a grocery store check-out, I was surprised when a man approaching from the opposite direction sped up and steered his cart right in front of mine. He quickly began haphazardly tossing items on the belt, stacking them 3-and-4 high. His piles were unstable, tumbling every time the belt moved. And then, just as I began unloading my cart, his big 2-liter Coke rolled off and crashed to the floor… right at my feet.
It exploded with “fizzle,” but the man seemed unconcerned, fishing for money in his pockets. “It’s fizzling out!” I said, jumping back to avoid a stream of sticky Coke heading up my pant leg. Fully expecting him to quickly bend down and grab it, I watched as he stepped past the cashier and out of spray-range.
By this time the Coke was rolling around every-which-way in response to its own fizzling…. all over me, my cart, the floor, and the guy behind me. But the one who was responsible pretended not to notice.
It was a long, sticky day as I pursued the rest of my errands in clothes decorated with brown splatters and shoes that suctioned on every surface. I couldn’t stop thinking about that man and his thoughtless disregard.
But while driving home, God whispered something in my ear. “You know, Margaret, sometimes you behave exactly like that. How often have I tried in creative ways to get your attention? And how often have you disregarded even my ‘fizzly’ attempts to reach you?”
He had me there. Rushing through busy days with one eye on a to-do list and the other on whatever’s in my “cart” for that day, I must look to him much like that man in the grocery store. And since I’m often selfishly possessive of my time, interruptions regularly equate to irritations. Sadly, this can include interruptions even from the Lord.
Though I’ve never spoken it aloud, internally I’ve often said, “Father, can’t you see I’m in a hurry here? Your ‘fizzling’ at me is ruining my efficiency!”
But of course God knows all about it and is “fizzling” at me with purpose. The proper response, of course, is to stop what I’m doing and give him my attention. And so, by way of yesterday’s messy object lesson, I stand corrected.
As for Mr. In-A-Hurry’s Coke bottle, a fast-thinking store employee nearby moved in to rescue us. But as he took hold of the giant bottle, it sprayed everything within ten feet, including him — face, hair and all.
The only person it completely missed was the guy who should have been tending to the fizzle. But he was long gone.
“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:7,8)